Our history

Offering local tourism and protecting the environment has been in the DNA of the Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs Group since 1967.

The 1970s
The ’80-90s
The 2000’s
The 2010’s
The 2020’s

The 1970s

Bold ambitions

The ’80-90s

Tourism still keeping up with the times

The 2000’s

Between 2000 and 2015, the number of sites doubled, the number of customers tripled, and so did our revenue.

The 2010’s

Expanding while continuing to foster a positive view of ecology

The 2020’s

Pierre & Vacances is looking to the future by relying on solid fundamentals to become the leader in reinvented local tourism.

1967

Pierre & Vacances is born

It all began in Avoriaz in 1967 with the creation of a car-free ski resort that blended perfectly into the landscape. An ideal holiday town with mimetic architecture and buildings aligned with the mountains’ curves. The project was audacious, the revolution was underway! In 1969, the resort won the top French architecture prize, the Equerre d’Argent.

1973

Pierre & Vacances launched tourism residence

Offering people the opportunity to holiday with family or friends in an apartment while enjoying “à-la-carte” services.

Pierre & Vacances - Les Restanques du Golfe de St-Tropez

1978

The New Property

Pierre & Vacances innovated and created the New Property concept, a genuine alternative to owning a second home, allowing people to purchase a holiday apartment and either spend their holiday there or in another Group residence. Pierre & Vacances combined ownership with freedom and laid the foundations of its business model.

1979

Opening of the 1^st residence by the sea.

Pierre & Vacances opens a residence in Juan-les-Pins and another in Port Barcarès.

1990

Opening of Cap Esterel

A new holiday resort in the heart of 200 hectares of countryside overlooking the Mediterranean sea. Like Avoriaz, the urban planning, architecture and landscape were designed together to offer a unique holiday experience. Nature was the main focus of the fully-integrated Mediterranean village. Cap Esterel paved the way for the next Group constructions. Within two decades, Pierre & Vacances evolved from managing one mountain resort to operating 100 residences across France and Europe.

1997

1^st sustainable pilot site

Pierre & Vacances strives to design its destinations in an environmentally friendly way. The Village de Belle Dune – located in the Baie de Somme – has been chosen as a pilot site for our sustainable development policy. Limiting water and energy consumption, sorting waste, ecological management of green spaces, raising children’s awareness, nature activities… Belle Dune confirmed our responsible commitment and was the precursor for the future Center Parcs and Villages Nature® Paris. It also received the “Best Environment Respect” award at the Hermès Awards.

1998

Heading to the West Indies

Opening of two Pierre & Vacances villages in the West Indies, Sainte Anne in Guadeloupe and Sainte Luce in Martinique.

1999

The company made its stockmarket debut

Pierre & Vacances is listed on the second Market, sending it into a new era. The Group managed to enhance its reputation and credibility without sacrificing its independence and uniqueness.

2001

Acquisition of 100% of maeva

The no. 2 tourism residence operator in France.
Since 2014, with the acquisition of La France du Nord au Sud in 2016, maeva has initiated the deployment of high value-added services to become a European distribution and service platform for second home owners and outdoor hotel professionals in France.

2002

Moving upmarket

with the integration of 10 MGM premium residences, located in renowned mountain resorts such as Méribel, Val d’Isère, Tignes and Chamonix.

2003

The Group took over Center Parcs

and set out to conquer the countryside. The concept of short stays in a cosy cottage close to a heated swimming pool, quickly became a huge success. Well-being, conviviality for all and multi-activities became our key words.

Domaine Center Parcs des Hauts de Bruyères

2005

The Group formalised its development policy

and set up a team to pilot its approach within the research and innovation department.

2005

Bienvenidos

Opening in Bonmont in Spain of the first Pierre & Vacances residence built by the Group.

2007

After the countryside, the city was the place to be!

Pierre & Vacances and Accor joined forces to create Adagio City Aparthotel. Renamed Aparthotels Adagio, the brand quickly became the no. 1 in urban residences in Europe and expanded to new continents: Africa, the Middle East, South America and Asia.

2007

External growth

Acquisition of Belgian group Sunparks and property developer Les Senioriales.

2009

New step

The Pierre & Vacances Group changes name to become The Pierre & Vacances Center Parcs Group.

2012

Extension of Avoriaz

with three residences and the Aquariaz, the biggest mountain water park in Europe.

2014

Looking towards China

From 2014 to 2016, the Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs Group joined forces with Chinese property developer Beijing Capital Land (BCL) to develop holiday resorts in China.

2017

Villages Nature® Paris

The Group opened, in partnership with Euro Disney S.C.A, Villages Nature® Paris, an original holiday experience in the Île-de-France region. Located in a 259 hectare park, the eco-destination offers 916 apartments and cottages. Small buildings with plant-based architecture, designed to reduce the site’s ecological footprint, a geothermally heated lagoon, gardens designed to filter and treat water, as well as short-supply circuits.

2017

Corporate Foundation

Keen to make a positive impact on its locations and populations in Europe, the Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs Group created its Foundation at the end of 2017. After 3 years of existence, Corporate Foundation for Families focuses on one mission: supporting singular families in Europe.

2021

Reinvention

Launch of the “Reinvention ” strategic plan to become the European leader in reinvented local tourism.

2021

Opening of Terhills Resort in Belgium

This park has the premium label “Resorts by Center Parcs”. Terhills Resort focuses on the top end of the market with 250 new cottages and exclusive facilities.

2022

Financial restructuring

and opening of the capital to three new shareholders.

2022

7^th French Center Parcs

Opening of the Domaine des Landes de Gascogne located in the Lot-et-Garonne department, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. It offers a unique concept to awaken and educate families to the “wonders of nature” with the discovery of permaculture in the gardens and vegetable patches, an educational farm, introductory workshops linked to seasonality and local riches and original accommodation: cottages Maisons à la Ferme and Maisons dans les Arbres.

2023

Carbon trajectory

The Group’s carbon trajectory has been validated by the international SBTi organization: -51% of emissions linked to energy consumption by 2030 (vs 2019).

2023

“Heat Fund” framework contract with ADEME

The Group joins forces with ADEME and signs a seven-year “Heat Fund” framework contract to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and develop thermal renewable energies. It is the first “Heat Fund” framework contract signed by a service sector company.

2024

New Pierre & Vacances premium residence

Opening of the premium residence Domaine du Golfe du Lion, located in Saint-Cyprien in the heart of the Occitanie region, between sea and mountains. Embodying the renewal of the Pierre & Vacances brand, it is the 3rd franchise contract with the Roussillhotel group.

The 1970s
The ’80-90s
The 2000’s
The 2010’s
The 2020’s